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(Albany, NY) Here we go again. Yesterday’s Buffalo News article entitled "Despite Ruling City Schools Face Budget Gap" erroneously states that the Buffalo City Schools would benefit from the New York City "CFE" decision. This is false and totally inaccurate.

The decision by New York City Judge Leland DeGrasse and the New York City oriented Court of Appeals does nothing for any school districts in New York State, other than those in the New York City School District.

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation (S.21) that would provide improved and expanded school health services for preschool and school-age children. This legislation unanimously passed in the State Senate and will be forwarded to the State Assembly for their immediate action.

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation (S.884) that would allow municipalities (taxing districts) to commence an action for foreclosure on abandoned or tax delinquent sites and conduct environmental investigations on these properties without exposing them to environmental liability claims.

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today announced that he has secured $50,000 in state funding for the construction of a salt shed for the Town of Wethersfield. The funding was secured as part of the adopted 2004-2005 adopted state budget.

"The Town of Wethersfield has, for several years, stored their sand and salt in the open which has made leaching a major issue for this small municipality," said Senator Dale M. Volker.

(ALBANY, NY) Today, the State Senate passed Erie County’s additional 1% sales and use tax bill (S.215-A) in order to maintain stable sales and use tax collections to meet operating costs of County government. This "Giambra Penny" legislation will authorize Erie County to impose an additional 1% sales and use tax in addition the temporary 1% additional sales and use tax the County has annually been authorized to impose since March 1, 1985.

(ALBANY, NY) Today, the State Senate passed Erie County’s temporary additional 1% sales and use tax in order to maintain stable sales and use tax collections to meet operating costs of County government. This bill was passed in the State Assembly on January 24th 2005.

"The State of New York continues to face fiscal challenges, and Erie County government is not immune from its own financial difficulties," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "This sales tax extender for an additional 1% has assisted Erie County to continue in providing county services for our residents.

(Albany, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today announced that the New York State Senate today passed two comprehensive budget reform bills that would fix the budget process and put an end to late budgets beginning this year with the enactment of a contingency budget in the event a new budget is not enacted by April 1.

Teachers, parents, administrators and students agree that classrooms should be safe havens, free of violence and fear. But far too often, they can resemble battlegrounds, where a small number of students seek to disrupt the learning environment with chaos and violence.

New York has led the nation in cutting taxes to provide savings to our families and stimulate our economic recovery. Once again this year, the state budget contains significant tax cuts that will benefit all New Yorkers and help our economy to continue growing strong.Highlights of the $1.3 billion tax cut plan include the reduction or elimination of the state Gross Receipts Tax on energy, a top budget priority for the Senate, an increase in the standard deduction for married couples and a first-in-the-nation full tax deduction for the cost of college tuition.